The security forces found the IED during the morning patrolling in the Wanpoh area of Anantnag, which was later diffused by the bomb disposal squad, thus averting a major tragedy.

The IED was suspected to have been planted by the militants to trigger an explosion, sources said.

The national highway was open for one-way traffic with vehicles going from Srinagar to Jammu on Thursday.

Security in the valley has been tightened amid reports of militants trying to regroup.